Trash Extravaganza - 05/06/26

The sun was out, the ground was dry, and the Trash Extravaganza clean-up crew absolutely crushed Part 2 of this cleanup effort on Trash Island.

A month ago, we filled a 40-yard dumpster in the pouring rain. This time (5/6), we came close to filling a SECOND 40-yard dumpster (thankfully not in the rain). We also went through an entire box of 100 contractor trash bags, which I believe is a new record for us!!

The 13 neighbors with lived experience who threw in a helping hand, worked hard for 3 straight hours, and for their efforts received a $100 gift card and LOTS of pizza.

I could not be prouder of the work they accomplished today. We listened to music, laughed together, worked as a team, and restored this wooded area to its former glory. While there are definitely a few items out there that now officially “belong to the earth,” we truly did all that was humanly possible, and we can confidently say that it is “Trash Island” no more!

We have some incredible folks to thank for their continued partnership in this work.

Thank you to Kate Taylor for helping coordinate arrangements with the property owner and Waste Management, and thank you to Progressive Rail for allowing us to use their property for dumpster placement.

Thank you to Jennifer and Deputy Clark for the original referral, and thank you to Ryan and the Waste Management team for the perfect placement and early arrival. It is always a pleasure working with WM drivers and crews!

We couldn't make these things happen without the synergy of the community around us. Thank you for joining us in our quest to beautify Clackamas County!!